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Finding Time to Get Away.
For your health and your sanity.
Often vacation and travel are used synonymously, when one takes a vacation they usually travel. Travel usually means going on some kind of journey. I took a moment to look up the word "travel," I mean, duh, I must use it a thousand times a day - and wasn't I surprised to learn the word often used to express relaxation, adventure, and excitement is an old French word "travail" derived from Latin trepalium 'instrument of torture'. Well, that explains a lot, doesn't it? Appears the airlines have known this for a long time!
In a way I guess this makes me feel better that I have been on right track. After all, for over ten years it's been my mission in to make "travel" easier, safer and more enjoyable!
Recently, I was treated to a two-day get-away to the coast. From Portland, Oregon it is only a two hour drive to absolutely one of the most scenic coastlines in the country. It was a wonderful treat - having grown up on a lake in Michigan I am a big water fan. The minute I hit the beach my shoulders go from that up to-my-neck hunch stage back down to where they should normally be. I breathe a sigh of relaxation and I am completely rejuvenated, the transformation is so immediate that it is a little shocking. That few days of spending time away, watching that never-ending rolling surf, eating fresh crab and seafood, window-shopping and hunting for stores that cater to my newest hobby - "beading," was just so wonderful. It was really the best gift!
On the way back, refreshed, creative juices flowing, I started thinking about how important making time to get away really is to our well being. Making the time to refresh ourselves is just as important as making that doctor appointment that often gets put off or getting the oil changed in our cars. You just have to schedule it. Whether it is a family get-away, a romantic retreat for two, or a single's adventure, find the time to "ink" it in. Maybe it is a trip downtown to see a play or a weekend to a rustic country setting with no phones - find an affordable setting that will set the atmosphere for relaxation and rejuvenation. Trust me, it really works and you will be better for it.
There is another option to actually leaving home - that is to change your routine for a weekend now and then - think of it as a bed-and-breakfast in your own home. Make up that spare room into a get-away retreat. Try sleeping in the guest room or switching everyone around, letting the kids have the parent's room and you bunk out in theirs. Take a tour of the city as if you were tourists, visit a museum or take that scenic drive that you've been meaning to do. It's fun to mix things up and change your set-in routine, surprising how just a little change can make the world of difference. No need to make your travel torturous, make it a vacation!
Details To Weekend My Coastal Get Away.
Lake Oswego to Newport, Oregon via Highway 99W to OR Route 22 W and down US 101 (Coast Highway). Lunch at a favorite fish and chips restaurant. A brief stop in Lincoln City to shop the outlet mall. From there a sail down US 101 to the City of Newport. Newport is set mid-way down the Oregon coast on the busy Yaquina Bay fishing harbor. With miles of Pacific coastline to wander with lots of great lighthouses it makes this a favorite retreat for year round visitors.
The walk along the waterfront wharf in the Yaquina Bay is a mixture of fishing trawlers loaded to the decks with Pacific northwest fresh seafood, greetings of noisy barking seal lions and hungry tourists waiting for the catch of the day. Art galleries and gift shops fill in the spaces between restaurants and canneries, wonderfully framed by the coastal mountain range and the picturesque Yaquina Bay.
Nestled off the main highway and away from traffic is the Elizabeth Street Inn, where every room has a breathtaking ocean front view and cozy fireplace to ward off the ocean breeze evening chill. Out each room's balcony is a view to the north of the Yaqunia Head lighthouse built in 1873. The hotel is located just a short walk to the quaint dinning and shopping area of Nye Beach and (not to best missed) charming Nye Cottage Bead shop. Historic Nye Beach, once was the site of the 1902 ocean retreat sanitarium created by the stepfather of President Herbert Hoover, Dr. Minthorn. During low tide the golden sand beach is dotted with walkers and runners and treasurer seekers.
Off the highway 20 east to Corvallis is a little town Toledo, Oregon. The lumber mill town has a historic lumber railroad museum that is worth the short side trip, ask for conductor Tom, he's a fountain of interesting facts!
Leaving the coast for home isn't so hard knowing that plans to return have already been made!
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Please let me know how I can assist you with your travel needs.
Cheers,
Annette
President & Co-founder
Specials!
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